The Canadian First Responders International Support Alliance (CFRISA), is a group of
volunteers that have formed an action group in order to provide Canadian First
Responders the opportunity to directly help Ukrainian First Responders.
Our volunteer Alliance members are coordinating fundraising efforts that will go directly
to assist Ukrainian Firefighters and Medical First Responders in the challenging work
that they do.
The individual members that make up the CFRISA governance all have close ties with
Canadian First Responders, and were moved to action by the tragedy occurring in
Ukraine. Brotherhood/Sisterhood is an important aspect of First Responder culture. We
understand what First Responders do on a daily basis, and this is an opportunity to
support each other.

The money we raise as part of ‘Canadian First Responders Supporting Ukraine First
Responders’ campaign goes directly to our efforts to support First Responders in
Ukraine.
Ukrainian First Responders need our assistance in obtaining PPE, rescue equipment, and
medical supplies. Our aim is to raise the necessary funds to ship generously donated
goods, or directly purchase equipment for shipment to the various locations that are in
desperate need.
In very broad terms, CFRISA’s efforts are focused on protecting life and property.
Protecting the lives of first responders and providing them the tools to do their work,
helps them to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Ukraine.

We are accomplishing this objective by partnering with an organization with a proven
track record – Firefigher Aid Ukraine (FAU).2
Established in 2014, FAU has spent nearly a decade working with the State Emergency
Services and volunteer brigades in Ukraine, building strong relationships in many parts
of the country. To date, FAU has delivered over 190 tons of life rescue and health care
aid.
Firefighter Aid Ukraine functions as a project within the Canadian registered charity of
AMIGO RELIEF MISSIONS, and has partnered with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and
Rotary International.

Canadian federal money is not going in to support fire and medical support programs; it
is directed towards the support of military operations.

The Canadian Coin Challenge is an initiative to raise awareness of the campaign to
support Ukraine First Responders and is a way to show that Canadian First Responders
are people of action.
The Challenge Coin purchases is not only a way to raise funds, but a mapping these is a
graphical way to demonstrate to our brothers/sisters in Ukraine that support for them is
right down to the individual Canadian citizen who has the volition to support emergency
services.
People can watch the support grow on our website at: http://CANrespondUKR.com

1. Spread the awareness for this fundraising campaign with your colleagues and staff.
Individual Challenge Coins, for both Fire and Medical First Responders, can be
purchased at https://www.canopsstore.org/collections/ukraine-fundraiser
2. Join a designated team and host your own fundraising events with the proceeds being
donated through the campaign.

The teams on the website (http://CANrespondUKR.com) are set up to represent a Fire
team and a Medical First Responder team for each province and territory in Canada;
therefore, there are 26 teams to choose from.
Individual persons or groups are welcome to join any team. To do so, click on the ‘Login’
button and then ‘sign up’. When you complete the sign-up process, you will be offered
the option to join a team.

1. Spread the awareness for this fundraising campaign with your colleagues and staff.
Individual Challenge Coins, for both Fire and Medical First Responders, can be
purchased at https://www.canopsstore.org/collections/ukraine-fundraiser
2. When you receive the official Challenge Coin, either Fire or Medical First Responder,
scan the QR Code to populate your location on a map. On our website,
https://CANrespondUKR.com, there is a map showing all of the locations that the
official Challenge Coins have visited within your province and territory. The map will also
show how the other provinces and territories are doing for each of the agencies.
3. When you receive the official Challenge Coin, create awareness with your local media
and through social media using hashtags #UkraineCoinChallenge,
#SupportUkraineResponders #UkraineFireCoin, and #UkraineMedicCoin.
4. When you are passed the official challenge coin by your neighbouring First Responder
agency in your province or territory, pass it on in person to another neighbour using the
traditional handshake method.

Funds raised through the coin challenge purchases, are collected by CanOps, a CFRISA
alliance member, that is a not-for-profit organization established in 2014 focused on
advancing public safety for all Canadians. Funds raised through the coin purchase
program will be forwarded to Firefighter Aid Ukraine as a part of our initiative.
Donations made directly on our website (http://CANrespondUKR.com) are deposited
directly with Firefighter Aid Ukraine as a part of this initiative.

Yes. When you finish the donation process you will immediately receive an unofficial receipt. If you wish a receipt for tax filing purposes, and your donation is over $40, send us your information, including the unofficial receipt number and you will be issued an official tax receipt in accordance with revenue Canada rules. (Tax receipts issued by our partner Amigos Relief Missions Ltd. Sherwood Park, AB)

Some organizations have approached us inquiring about bulk orders of coins so that
they could provide one to each of their members or bulk purchases to help sell and raise
funds not only for this initiative, but their own as well.
If you wish to purchase a bulk order of challenge coins, we would be happy to discuss
options.

Further information on this initiative, including fundraising updates, information on
donations, team updates, etc., can be found on our website at:
http://CANrespondUKR.com
For further information or media inquiries, please contact:
Mario Beauchamp
mbeauchamp@icosolutions.com
or
canrespondukr@gmail.com